Location

Florence, Italy

Location Description

Florence is the perfect setting for scholarly pursuits. As the birthplace of Humanism and the cradle of the Renaissance, the city has long been associated with great human endeavors in the arts, letters, sciences, and politics. Dante, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, and others are indelibly linked to the city of Florence. Florence's historical role in culture and commerce--and its contemporary role as an academic hub--draw interest from all over the world and make it an ideal site for studying European politics, history, and society.

Although its historical and cultural contributions are immense, Florence retains the charm and atmosphere of a smaller city. It is quite manageable by foot and is serviced by an excellent public transportation system. In minutes, you can find yourself at the famous Ponte Vecchio, Il Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce, and other historic buildings, structures, and piazzas that have remained largely unchanged since their medieval or Renaissance beginnings. A twenty-minute bus ride will take you to the hillside town of Fiesole, with its Etruscan roots and notable archaeological sites. A ten-minute hike from the River Arno will take you to the hilltop of Piazzale Michelangelo, which provides one of the best views of the city. The city also has a major airport and full rail service, making travel to other European cities convenient and affordable.

University Profile

Students who wish to study with RISE - International Relations and European Studies, will take classes at the University of Florence and join a program that is designed to provide a legal, economic, historial and political science background for advanced studies in international and European affairs.

Overall the program creates a multicultural environmnet that will attract students from different countries. RISE is enriched by a variety of courses financed by the European Commission within the Jean Monnet Programm. Students can also take advantage fo the European Documentation Centre located in the Main Library.

Academics

Students can study at UNIFI for 1 or 2 semesters and pursue coursework in a variety of areas:

International Relations Track

This track provides students with in-depth knowledge of a) international organizations; b) international economic, financial, and trade issues; c)international law and human rights protection; d) education and healthcare across the world; f) the influence of religion on international relations; g) the historical development and corrent profile fo the main geo-political areas in the world.

European Studies Track

The European Studies track provides students with in-depth knowledge fo the structure and fuctioning of the the European Union, including the formationa nd content of the EU policies, the impact of the EU on national contexts, and its role in the international arena.

Mixed-LanguageOption

Sutdents can opt for a mixed language track in which some of the courses are offered in Italian.

Sample of Classes offered:

Current Challenges to International Law (9 ECTS)

Competition and Regulation in the EU (9 ECTS)

EU Public Policies (9 ECTS)

Origins and Development of the European Union (9 ECTS)

Energy, Environment and European Security (9 ECTS)

European and International Relgations: Linguistic Analysis (9 ECTS)

Internatioanl Human Rights Law (6 ECTS)

Religions and International Relations (6 ECTS)

Health and Education Economics (6 ECTS)

Structural Funds (6 ECTS)

Social Dimension and European Integration (6 ECTS)

Reflection Paper

All students who participate in a JMU exchange program will be required to write a reflection paper upon completion of the program which will be available for future participants to read.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA and be in good standing with the university.

How to Apply

Spaces are limited. Please meet with a study abroad advisor before applying.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students must possess a three-year university degree or diploma. The Admissions Committee will evaluate sutdents' applications of the basis of past personal and academic acomplishments, including exam scores in history, political science, economics, and law. Students that do not fulfil the requirements will have to pass and examination in the specific areas indicated by the Admissions Comittee, prior to the admission.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Scholarships specifically for exchange programs are sometimes available. Check our website for current offerings. Most forms of financial aid apply to the cost of study abroad programs. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor for specific information about awards and eligibility. For more information, please click on the following link to the Financial Aid & Scholarships page.